CVE-2016-20055 in Advanced SystemCare
Summary
by MITRE • 04/04/2026
IObit Advanced SystemCare 10.0.2 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the AdvancedSystemCareService10 service that allows local attackers to escalate privileges. Attackers can place a malicious executable in the service path and trigger privilege escalation when the service restarts or the system reboots, executing code with LocalSystem privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-20055 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within IObit Advanced SystemCare version 10.0.2, specifically targeting the AdvancedSystemCareService10 service. This issue stems from improper service path configuration that fails to properly quote the executable path, creating a predictable attack surface for local adversaries seeking elevated system privileges. The vulnerability operates under the broader category of service path manipulation attacks that exploit weak service configuration practices prevalent in Windows environments.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the AdvancedSystemCareService10 service running with LocalSystem privileges while utilizing an unquoted service path that includes spaces in its directory structure. When Windows resolves the service path, it treats each directory component as a separate executable, allowing an attacker to place a malicious binary at a strategic location within the path hierarchy. This misconfiguration creates a window of opportunity where the legitimate service, upon restart or system reboot, will execute the attacker-controlled binary instead of the intended legitimate executable.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-428, which describes the weakness of unquoted service paths, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, focusing on privilege escalation through service misconfiguration. The operational impact extends beyond simple code execution as the attacker gains full system control with LocalSystem privileges, enabling complete compromise of the target machine. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no user interaction or elevated privileges to exploit, making it an attractive target for malicious actors seeking persistent system access.
The attack vector relies on local system access and requires minimal prerequisites beyond the ability to write files to the affected service path. Attackers can place malicious executables at various points within the directory structure of the unquoted path, with the service executing their code when the system reboots or when the service restarts. This creates a persistent threat model where the malicious payload executes automatically without user intervention, effectively bypassing many traditional security controls and detection mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve proper service path configuration with quoted paths that prevent directory traversal attacks, along with regular security audits of service configurations. System administrators should implement the principle of least privilege by ensuring services run with minimal required permissions, and regularly scan for unquoted service paths using automated tools. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies and monitoring service startup events can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a prime example of how simple configuration errors can create significant security risks, emphasizing the importance of proper service hardening and regular security assessments in enterprise environments.